Alexa Neilson, ’22

The Catalyst (TC): What was your initial reaction when you heard that the mask mandate was going to be lifted at NDB?

Alexa Neilson (AN): I think it was just really disheartening for me and shocking a little bit. Because even though I knew that California had announced that, I knew that they were still strongly suggesting it, which essentially means that the experts still believe that nothing should change and that it was really just something that the public schools were being pushed to do. I definitely was kind of shocked that Notre Dame was moving forward with that, despite the experts’ suggestions that they shouldn’t change, and also just shocked, I think, for myself as well. Coming off of like three months of it being online just by myself. Because, you know, the numbers are so high and being compromised. It’s like a huge risk for me. So I think coming back and just the fact that that was an announcement two days in to being back in person like was, it was disheartening for sure. I think that was my initial reaction.

TC: So do you wish Notre Dame had stayed with the recommendations and still required masks for all students?

AN: Yeah, I do. I think it quite honestly is ridiculous that we, not ridiculous, but it’s surprising how we think that kids are age or people in general, we’re putting such a big decision on people’s shoulders and I don’t mean to come down anybody’s responsibilities, but half of our school isn’t considered legally responsible in the eyes of the law to drive a vehicle, or legally responsible enough to vote none of us are considered legally responsible to drink or to smoke. I think it’s funny that we think that teenagers are really thinking about the consequences, how their actions affect others. It’s so easy to not and it’s so easy, especially when this has been going on for so long. I think being able to take your mask off feels freeing for sure because of all like, I think, the trauma that this pandemic has been for everybody. It’s just been a lot of responsibility on people, I don’t think it’s fair for anyone.

TC: How do you feel about people who decide not to wear their mask? What would you say to them?

AN: I understand the feelings of frustration. I understand not wanting to wear it. I know that it can be an inconvenience or, you know, kind of difficult at times, and I especially understand it kind of represents this hard time we’ve all been through. So I absolutely empathize, to some extent, with how they feel and also the idea that you want to have a choice, you want to feel like you’re in control. But when I hear that, honestly, I can’t help but feel a bit frustrated. When I hear people talking about that kind of choice, they feel that this freedom is being taken from them. I’m sitting here and I’m just thinking like this freedom of yours to put a fabric of your face indoors in school spaces, that freedom being taken away to have that on your face versus my choice is taken and people who are immunocompromised, disabled students and any immunocompromised people in our in our broader community, that choice of not wearing a mask is essentially taking away somebody else’s choice of maybe going to school or or getting an equal education or experience. So I would just say that I understand but I also have a very hard time completely sympathizing. All I feel is a little bit gypped.

TC: Did you think that this is because they’re selfish or they’re just ignorant about what their actions do for other people?

AN: I think it’s ignorance. I don’t think anybody is trying to be mean, I obviously do know that there are some people out there that genuinely do believe in some sort of survival of the fittest. But I don’t believe that’s the majority and I don’t think anybody at Notre Dame is really like that. I think what it really is this: this pandemic has been hard for all of us, and we all want to have it past us, for it to be over it. Being able to get rid of certain things and act like it’s behind us is somewhat freeing, and I think it’s natural for our brains to want to shut out the things that are scary. And I think that’s what it is. I don’t think that it’s selfishness necessarily, although the actions at the end of the day, kind of are. It’s very easy to push something away, especially when you don’t have to directly experience the fear for your life and the fear for your close family’s lives.